Men’s Skincare Essentials

Men's Skincare Regime

Improving the appearance and condition of skin has become a priority, so new skincare products are continuing to emerge for the modern man. As males produce the hormone testosterone, male skin is often oilier than women’s, so many skincare products for men aim to control excess oil, unblock pores and clear up acne breakouts.

Male skin is also thicker than women’s and sensitised from shaving regularly, which means a higher concentration of active ingredients and antioxidants is needed for products to be effective.

A typical skincare regime for men should include cleansing, toning, exfoliating, moisturising and sun protection as well as using the occasional face mask to help keep skin looking fresh.

Moisturising

As with lip care, it’s crucial for men to keep their bodies well moisturised. Moisturising has many key benefits, such as helping you to look and feel younger, keeping your skin soft and supple, reducing the signs of ageing and keeping your skin adequately hydrated. Always choose moisturisers with added SPF – ideally SPF 30 or above – to ensure you’re protected from the sun’s UV rays.

If you have dry skin, it’s best to opt for moisturisers with rich consistencies or oil-based lotions, which can be worn both during the day and at night to help replenish any lost moisture. If you have oily skin, moisturisers with lighter formulas are better – they keep your skin looking matte and will be less likely to clog up your pores.

For normal or combination skin, go for a medium-weight product that adds a little moisture but doesn’t make your skin overly oily, while men with sensitive skin should buy products that don’t contain irritating ingredients, such as alcohol, parabens and fragrances.

Lip Balm For Men With Added SPF

Far from the strawberry-scented, shimmery lip balms you see on store shelves geared towards women, lip balms for men are fast becoming a grooming essential in their own right.

If you’re male and enjoy an active lifestyle – or maybe you have a male partner who loves the outdoors and is prone to dry lips – there is a plethora of lip balms available with added SPF that offer the right balance of hydration and sun protection. Not to mention they keep lips kissable, too!

Shaving Cream and Shaving Gel

While many men think it’s fine to get away with using soapy water to achieve a close shave, soap is actually well known to dry out the skin and will remove its essential natural oils. The benefits of shaving cream and shaving gel shouldn’t be underestimated – not only will using these give you an even smoother, closer shave, they’ll also help your skin to stay soft and hydrated.

If you have thick facial hair, some shaving cream and shaving gel formulas can actually help to raise the hair away from your face, making it easier for your razor to glide through. The creamy or foamy texture also helps you keep track of where you’ve already shaved, making for faster and more effective hair removal.

Suffering from regular razor grazing? With shaving cream and shaving gel that can be avoided as a layer is created between the blade and your skin. Let’s face it – nobody likes to walk around with bits of tissue stuck to their face after a nasty shaving cut.

Eye Cream and Gel

Another increasingly popular product in male skincare is eye cream, which is essentially all about protecting men’s peepers from the inevitable signs of ageing. Sorry lads, you don’t get to escape the effects of time either.

It’s important to look after the skin around your eyes as this area it’s particularly sensitive, delicate and more prone to wrinkles. On average you blink 28,800 times a day, so it makes perfect sense to take care of your eyelids. Eye creams containing hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E and retinol are superb at boosting collagen and elasticity as well as keeping your eye area hydrated.

Face Scrubs and Washes

Finally guys, it’s worth remembering that the way you clean your face can make a huge difference to its overall appearance. If you suffer from blackheads then consider using a face scrub. These contain small microbeads that are gently abrasive and will help to unblock any clogged pores. Use face scrubs in moderation though – overuse will cause your skin to become red and sore.

Since washing your face is an everyday ritual, don’t reach straight for the bar of soap again as regular use will only cause dryness and breakouts. Face washes with foamy or creamy formulas are softer alternatives that will keep your skin clean and healthy without wiping away all of its essential oils.